Top of the table Avondale Heights’ front three fired on all cylinders during their 5-2 thrashing of Richmond SC on Saturday afternoon, taking their goals tally to 21 for the season, a league best.
The trio that started upfront for their Round 7 clash have combined for a whopping 15 goals, aided by an impressive first hat trick for winger Jason Principato.
Saturday’s side boasted winger Andrew Le Page, who’s contributed goals and assists in equal measure this year, striker and NPL 1 leading goal scorer Opeksiy Khrapko, who’s six goals was matched in fine fashion by Principato, who had three league goals coming into the match.
“No I haven’t [scored a hat trick], first one! First senior one anyway,” Principato said, beaming in the wake of his match winning performance.
Despite having spent time away from the starting 11 this season, including a spot on the bench in the two games prior, the winger showed a clinical nature, a confidence if you will, seldom seen from players who find themselves the victim of squad rotation.
Avondale coach Anthony Barbieri was full of praise for the hat trick hero, who’ll be aiming to tie down a starting berth for the remainder of the season.
“I thought Jason was great, he’s been scoring a few goals and then we rotated the squad and he found himself out, but all credit to him today,” Barbieri said.
“He came in after a couple of weeks out and he came on and he was sharp, scored some good goals.”
It’s hard to believe that Principato is only in his first year at the club, given the clear understanding built up between his forward compatriots, something that the winger set out to achieve in his debut NPL 1 season.
“First year [at the club] this season so I just wanted to link in with the team to be honest and do my part and when a goal comes, it comes,” Principato said.
“Seven rounds in and I feel like I’m a part of the furniture now so it’s good.”
Whilst he insisted that there was no personal benchmarks set out in terms of goals, with 19 games left, double figures is a more than achievable target.
There’s only one focus on Principato mind however, and it’s a simple one.
“We stay on top, that’s it.”